Used car guide

1998 Land Rover Freelander: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Land Rover Freelanders, from 168 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 168 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

168MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
4,600typical miles a year
46%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1998 Land Rover Freelander MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    45% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    23% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Land Rover Freelander?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201411,526Suspension 24%
201312,998Suspension 35%
201210,306Suspension 38%
201112,058Suspension 38%
201013,462Suspension 44%
20099,346Suspension 46%
20089,907Suspension 51%
200712,298Suspension 53%
20064,995Suspension 53%
20054,447Brakes 52%
20043,597Suspension 51%
20032,254Brakes 52%
20021,682Suspension 51%
2001849Brakes 48%
2000336Brakes 48%
1999192Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Land Rover Freelanders registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score